Filed to story: Mated and Hated by My Brother’s Best Friend Book PDF Free by Anna Campbell
“Did you ever-
“No!” I cut in instantly, shaking my head frantically.
I took a step toward him, desperate. “I barely even spoke to him. It was just training. I swear, Max. I promise-I’ve never.” “Not even a touch out of place?”
His stare bore into me, and I shook my head.
Grateful th Nate.
So fucking grateful that I had drawn that boundary with Nate..
Max studied me for a long, agonizing moment. Then, finally, he exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face.
I dared to hope. He hadn’t called it quits yet.
“I’m so sorry.” I said again, my voice cracking. “I swear, it killed me every day. And after you got hurt because of me-l couldn’t betray you like that anymore.”
He shook his head, expression tight. “As much as it pisses me off, I know it’s easier to continue with the same teacher once you start. But I just don’t understand why”
“It’s not that I thought he was better-
“know that,” Max snapped, shutting me up. His frustration rolled off him in waves.
I hated this
Hated seeing him in so much pain.
Hated that I had caused it
But seeing him so pained now. Seeing him in so much turmoil and wanting nothing but to fix it-to make the pain go away. Seeing him look as if he was on the verge of walking away from me and it freaking terrified me, I know without a doubt that
I loved him too
I loved Maximus. Maybe not like it didn’t matter. The only thing that did was that I loved him, and I would do anything to keep turn with me. But I couldn’t tell him now it would just seem like I was saying it to win him over. It wouldn’t r “What I don’t understand is why he did it, he looked me in the eyes again, and I was grateful to see a little bit of colour mean anything to him. Now wasn’t comfhg back to his grey eyes the right time.
I chanced a step towards him, and he watched the movement but didn’t react “Why he did it?” I mimicked as if I didn’t hear
I gulped. I knew exactly why he did it. But if I told Max now, it would definitely end us. And I could have that hannanie.
But I also couldn’t lie to him.
“Morningstar doesn’t seem like the person to spend his nights helping someone else just for nothing” Max said, his eyes narrowing, and I hated that they hated each other so much, yet seemed to know each other so well. “I knew you guys grew up together and I even know that you two probably had something before me. But even when you’re with me even when he knows you’re coming right into my bed, why. Would. He?”
Fear tethered at my heartstrings as I finally closed the gap between us. I reached up to cup his cheek, but he pulled away his face hard and eyes expectant. He wasn’t going to let this go.
“He said it would be devastating for Ethan if I died.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. That was, in fact, what Nate said, though I didn’t believe him one bit. Just like how Max didn’t believe me now. I saw it in his eyes. bit….Just
“I’m sure that’s what he said.” Max narrowed his gaze on me. “But that still begs the question, why didn’t he get someone else to do it? Why did he do it?”
“Max. tears stung my eyes as I now realized I had no choice but to tell him. “Promise me you’ll stay.” I whimpered and his
I I eyes blazed.
He figured it out. I knew he did.
“I knew you weren’t a virgin. But he didn’t just fuck you, did he? There’s something more.” I flinched at his words but forced the pain away.
“Promise me,” I all but begged. His eyes hardened as he stared at me as if he was seeing me for the first time.
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep. But there’s a small chance I might overlook the training if you’re honest with me for one minute. Why Did. He. Train. You?”
I couldn’t say it. I opened my mouth, but the words didn’t leave.
“Because he’s her mate.”
I froze.
Max stiffened.
The words cut through the air like a blade and my stomach dropped as I swerved around to see Eva standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable, her arms crossed. She had just walked in-how much had she heard?
My heart pounded violently against my ribs as Max took five full steps back, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might crack. His hands raked through his hair, fingers trembling slightly, and for the first time since I had met him, I saw something worse than anger in his eyes.
Betrayal.
“Eva!” I hissed, my voice sharp with accusation.
She met my gaze head-on, unflinching.
“What, Jiselle?” she snapped, “Look, I told you-you’re my best friend, and he’s my brother. It’s been weeks, Jiselle. Months. I told you to give him an option, and you didn’t.” She pointed toward Max, whose face had gone rigid, eyes dark with something unreadable. “And that is exactly why.”
She exhaled, stepping closer, her expression softening just a little.
“Look” she continued, her voice quieter, but no less firm, “I know it’s not my place to meddle in your relationship, but three weeks ago, my brother was gone for three days, and it had something to do with risking his life for you. I’m all down for anything that keeps you alive, but after all that, he at least deserved the truth. He deserved to know exactly what and who he was risking his neck for.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening painfully.
I wanted to be mad at her, but I couldn’t.
Because she wasn’t wrong.
Max had been tortured for me. And all that time, he hadn’t even known that I was mated to his worst enemy.
I deserved this.
I deserved the way he looked at me now-like he didn’t know me at all.
And Max finally turned around.
“Your mate.”
His voice was low, deadly quiet. The kind of quiet that came before an explosion.
My breath hitched.
Eva hesitated at the door, glancing back at us with wary eyes.
Max wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were locked on me, and only me. The moment Eva took a step forward, placing herself subtly between us, I realized what she was doing.
She didn’t trust him not to hurt me
“Max” she warned carefully, her posture tense.
“Your mate?” His voice was rougher now, raw and dangerous. “He’s your fucking mate, Jiselle?”
I flinched at the way he said it Like the words tasted like poison in his mouth.
He started moving toward me, five long strides closing the distance in an instant.
Eva stepped fully in front of me now, her back straight, her stance firm. “Max, don’t.”
“Don’t what?” he spat “I would never hurt her.”
YEL the way his voice shook made me wonder if he even believed that himself
“Move,” he growled.
“Not until I know for sure that you don’t-
“I would rather jump through that damn window
Eva Rent completely still than la lay a hand on her, now move. E
Evaline
It wasn’t just the words-it was the way he said therm them. Like he barely recognized himself.
Like this was the moment something inside him finally cracked.
Eva turned to me one last time, her eyes scanning my face, searching for any sign that I didn’t want to be left alone with him.
I gave her a small nod, even though my hands were shaking.
She hesitated, her lips pressing together tightly.
I’ll be right outside,” she promised, her voice soft, but firm. “All you have to do is scream”
Max exhaled sharply, running both hands down his face as Eva finally walked out the door, shutting it softly behind her.
The moment she was gone, the air in the room shifted.
Max turned back to me, and I felt small
I pressed my back against the wall, my pulse thundering in my ears.
“Your. Mate.”
I swallowed, throat tightening. “Max, please
“Your mate. Jiselle.”
The heat rolling off him was stifling.
“I tried to tell you,” I said desperately, my voice cracking. “I swear I did. Before things got serious. I tried, Max-“
“But you didn’t.” His voice was cold. Emotionless.
“Your mate”” he snapped, slamming his hand against the wall beside my head.
I flinched
“It means nothing.”
His hands curled into fists at his sides.
“Don’t lie to me.” His voice was rough, shaking with something I couldn’t name. “Two of my brothers are mated. So are my parents. That type of bond doesn’t just mean nothing.”
Tears burned my eyes.
“I’m sorry” I whispered, voice barely there. “But Max, I chose you.”
He let out a humorless laugh, stepping even closer.
“Yeah? Why?” he whispered and my breath hitched. “Because he didn’t choose you?”
I gasped softly. “Max, don’t-
“it’s the truth though, isn’t it?” His silver eyes flashed dangerously. “I was there that fucked Emari You were pining after him, but he didn’t want you. Did he?” at day. When you you were pissed t that he
I looked down, my vision blurring.
I couldn’t meet his eyes.
Couldn’t face the truth.
Because the truth was, he wasn’t wrong.
And that realization made my heart break all over again.
